Worship is Serving

John tells us:

 

John 13:3

    Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 

 

What did Jesus do with this divine authority? Again, John tells us,

 

John 13:4-5

    (Jesus) rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 

 

Possessing all power in heaven and earth and knowing he is about to be betrayed and die a horrible death---and what does Jesus do? He assumes the position of a common household servant and washes the disciples' dirty, smelly feet---the very people he knows will betray and forsake him before morning!

 

This is what it means to follow Jesus. If you have all power in heaven and earth, use it to wash the feet of someone you know will betray you!  

 

Several hours later the same power was manifested in the Garden of Gethsemane. As temple guards were about to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the slave of the high priest (John 18:10).

 

The world perpetuates violence but Jesus did not come to continue that. So, again, far from using his divine authority to fight back, calling legions of angels and forcefully controlling his enemy's behavior, Jesus used his divine authority to heal the ear of a man who came to arrest him. Jesus example is one of unconditional love by serving him, by healing him. Jesus was saying, "though you seek to do me harm I will serve you and heal you." Insofar as we trust this kind of power and think and act accordingly, we are bearers of the kingdom of God. Insofar as we do not we are simply participants in the kingdom of the world.

 

Paul wrote to the church in Rome,

 

Romans 12:1  

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (service). 

 

If we want to show homage to Jesus, to God, we practice servant leadership. We follow Jesus' example

John 14:9  

    Jesus said to him, "… Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. …? 

 

and obey his commands.

 

Worship is serving others. Worship is not singing to each other, not praying for ourselves, not contributing for our own comfort but serving others. As Jesus did, as Jesus would do today.